thermoelectric cooling

Thermoelectric Cold/Hot Plate Replaces Liquid Nitrogen:

TECA’s cold/hot plates utilize thermoelectric cooling, a solid-state method of heat transfer. Also called the Peltier Effect, this technology is valued for its reliability and lack of maintenance needs. For over a decade, TECA cold/hot plates have been cited in peer-reviewed, published academic research papers. Pictured here is our youngest known researcher, a 7th grade student who designed a physics experiment for her school science fair. TECA could not pass up the opportunity to support a budding scientist and lent our Model AHP-301CPV, free of charge.

Lisa, a 7th grader, used the AHP-301CPV in her science fair project, Electric Ice. Following the methods from a paper published in the journal Science, she obtained pyroelectric crystals, which develop an electric field in response to a temperature change. When the pyroelectric crystals are cooled in a controlled manner, their electric field affects the freezing point of the moisture in the air that condenses on them.

Unlike the scientists in the Science paper, Lisa did not have access to large amounts of liquid nitrogen to provide the cooling. Enter TECA Model AHP-301CPV Cold/Hot Plate. The pyroelectric crystals, housed in copper cups, were placed on the cold plate surface. Using the AHP-301CPV’s integral temperature controller and included communications software, Lisa programmed the cooling to ramp down by 2°C per minute, from room temperature to -20°C. A video camera recorded the condensation of the ambient moisture and its subsequent freezing. By comparing the time base of the video with the data captured by the AHP-301CPV’s communications software, Lisa was able to measure the freezing temperature for 3 separate configurations: within a positive electric field, a negative field, and no electric field.

Thermoelectric Cooling on Shipboard with Customer-specified paint:

TECA has always offered the broadest thermoelectric cooling/heating solutions anywhere, Although TECA customers can buy our standard products according to input voltage, temperature control needs, performance, efficiency, and many other variables, sometimes customization is still desired. In this example, TECA’s thermoelectric air conditioner Model AHP-6263XHC is being used to cool electronics in a harsh environment with frequent exposure to salt spray. The mil-spec fans used on this product are rated for Mil-Std 810 Shock & Corrosion, so the environment is not problematic…or is it? The customer found that the intense glare of reflected sunlight off the enclosure cooler was not tolerable.

The solution was to paint the AHP-6263XHC control panel cooler to a gray, with a mil-spec formula provided to TECA by the customer. The result is just as expected: a long lasting, reliable cooling solution rugged enough to handle a tough environment, with a simple cosmetic change to customize it to its end user’s unique requirements.

Please reach out to us with your unique requirements! We have a long history of creating custom solutions and we would be glad to help you. Ph 773.342.4900

Educational use for thermoelectric cooling cold plate:

A large children’s science and technology center in the Midwest, specializing in hands-on exhibits, has been using multiple TECA Cold/Hot Plates, Model AHP-1200CPV. The AHP-1200CPV supports part of an exhibit teaching children about insulation. The built-in temperature controller and attractive, ergonomic exterior are perfect for the museum’s display.

?TECA coolers save automated sorting equipment from overheat failure:

TECA Model AHP-1202XEHC is out in the automation field by the hundreds, reliably cooling sorting equipment. Easily one of TECA’s most popular legacy products, the AHP-1202XEHC is a great design with a lot to offer. Maintaining NEMA-4/4X enclosures in high ambient conditions and in tough, industrial settings, the AHP-1202XEHC is yet an affordable solution. In the example shown here, our customer chose to buy from TECA for a long-term project, supporting recycling centers with automated sorting machinery. The sorting system is state of the art, using new technology which requires thermal management.

High Capacity Thermoelectric Air Conditioner

High Capacity Thermoelectric Air Conditioner, 1660 BTU/HR (486 watts), includes efficient control feature:

The Peltier cooler FHP-2259-Series is an advanced, high capacity cabinet cooler. For cooling NEMA-12/4/4X enclosures the FHP-2259-Series will protect electronics equipment from overheating. Thermoelectric cooling technology reliably works to cool electronic controls, electrical equipment, cabinets, and other heat sensitive equipment. ECO-Mode temperature control feature helps save on power use. Reliable and low-maintenance Peltier technology is ideal for indoor or outdoor environments. The flush-mounted design of the FHP-2259 is ideal for control cabinets with little to no room for added equipment.

Protect your equipment from failure due to overheating. Choose low maintenance thermoelectric TECA air conditioners for superior performance and reliability.

High Efficiency Flush Mounted Thermoelectric Air Conditioner

For thermoelectric climate control of weatherproof NEMA cabinets, the FHP-2259-Series is an advanced, high efficiency thermoelectric cooler. The FHP-2259-Series will maintain closed-loop cooling, preserving the NEMA rating of your weatherproof enclosure. Designed to protect electronics equipment boxes from overheating, thermoelectric cooling technology is reliable and low-maintenance. Cool electronic controls, electrical equipment, cabinets, and other heat sensitive equipment. Ideal for indoor or outdoor environments. ECO-Mode temperature control feature helps save on power use. The flush-mounted design of the FHP-2259 is ideal for control cabinets with little to no room for added equipment.

Internal Mount Air Conditioners

When enclosure cooling or heating is needed but space requirements- or aesthetics- do not allow for protrusion of thermal management equipment into the ambient environment, consider TECA’s Internal Mount solutions.

The air conditioners outlined below offer unobtrusive cooling and heating, designed for kiosk and OEM applications. Internally mounted enclosure coolers and heaters are mounted totally inside the enclosure. This is a unique and elegant design solution. There is no intrusion into the ambient environments. As with all TECA solutions, when mounted properly a closed loop system is created. Ambient air does not enter the enclosure.

Suitable for NEMA-12 and NEMA-4 enclosures. High efficiency versions are noted with the Green Zone logo.

Design Considerations:

NEMA-12: Type 12 enclosures are intended for indoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against dust, falling dirt, and dripping non-corrosive liquids. Applies to AHP & FHP models.

Source: NEMA Publication N0. 250, Part 1, Page 1

NEMA-4: Type 4 enclosures are intended for indoor and outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose directed water. TECA products with the “XE” designation use sealed fans, sealed components, stud/gasket mounting and Mil- Spec finishes. They are designed to maintain the enclosure rating and perform in the rated environment. Applies to AHP-XE & FHP-XE models.

Source: NEMA Publication N0. 250, Part 1, Page 1

NEMA-4X: Type 4X enclosures are intended for indoor and outdoor use primarily to provide a degree of protection against corrosion, windblown dust and rain, splashing water, and hose directed water. TECA products carrying the “X” designation use Mil-Spec fans, o-ring sealed power supplies, no exposed electronic components, stud/gasket mounting and Mil-Spec finishes. They are designed to maintain the enclosure rating and perform in the rated environment. Applies to AHP-X & FHP-X models.
Source: NEMA Publication N0. 250, Part 1, Page 1

IP Rating

The IP (Ingress Protection) standard describes a uniform system for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. The first number refers to the level of protection against penetration of solid objects into the enclosure. The second number refers to the level of protection against penetration of liquids into the enclosure.

1st Number

Level of Protection

2nd Number

Level of Protection

0

No protection

0

No protection

1

Protection against objects over 50mm, accidental touch by hands

1

Protection against vertically dripping water

2

Protection against objects over 12mm, protection against touch by fingers

2

Protection against liquid drops at 15° from vertical

3

Protection against objects over 2.5mm, tools, wires, etc.

3

Protection against rain at angle of up to 60° from vertical

4

Protection against objects over 1mm, small tools, wires, etc.

4

Protection against splash from any direction

5

Complete protection against contact. Protection against harmful ingress and deposit of dust

5

Protection against water jets from any direction

6

Complete protection against contact. Protection against ingress of dust

6

Protection against heavy sea water

7

Protection against immersion in water under stated conditions of pressure and time

8

Protection under indefinite immersion in water under specified pressure

CID2 Class I, Division 2 (Hazardous Environments) – a location (1) in which volatile flammable liquids or flammable gases are handled, processed, or used, but in which the liquids, vapors, or gases will normally confined within closed containers or closed systems from which they can escape only case of accidental rupture or breakdown such containers or systems, or in case of abnormal operation of equipment; which ignitable concentrations of vapors are normally prevented by mechanical ventilation, and which become hazardous through failure operation of the ventilating equipment; that is adjacent to a Class I, Division location, and to which ignitable concentrations gases or vapors might occasionally communicated unless such communication prevented by adequate positive-pressure ventilation from a source of clean air, safeguards against ventilation failure pro-vided.Applies to AHP-XP models

TECA’s FHP thermoelectric air conditioners are designed to mount on the outside of the enclosure. There is no intrusion within the enclosure allowing for greater design flexibility. A mounting plate provides for easy installation.
Side, Front, or Back Mounting: This mounting orientation is recommended for applications with high humidity or incomplete cabinet seals. Condensation can be removed via moisture collection systems (standard on FHP-units and AHP-1400) or a drip pan positioned below the cold side fins. Drip pans are optional for thru mount style units.

Top Mounting: It is difficult to collect condensation in this orientation due to fin orientation and gravity. If a drip pan is employed by the end user, use caution to place the pan far enough away from the internal fan to minimize the restriction of air flow. The pan should cover the fin ends as well as the fan area. When there is a choice, side orientation is preferred by most users in high humidity environments.

Condensation

Condensation may form on the cold side fins when the surface temperature goes below the dew point temperature. To reduce the possibility of condensation or to transfer condensate to the outside of the enclosure consider the following:

Regulate the fin temperature above the dew point. Equations are provided for this purpose

Use desiccant (moisture absorbing granules)

Employ condensate removal system or drip pans

FHP-Series and models AHP-1400, AHP-1501 Air Conditioners contain built-in condensate removal systems. The condensate system consists of an anti-fungal sponge with a condensate wick. PVC tubing is also provided for drainage. The wick should extend below the cooling assembly to allow for a gravity feed.

On this website under “APPLICATIONS“, please also see the ongoing test of TECA Model AHP1800XEHC which has been in continuous service for over 80,000 hours outdoors on the roof. There is also a picture and description of a TECA Model AHP1200X with 120,000 hours of duty with no problems other than dirt!

Tight Temperature Control Within Small Enclosure:

A manufacturer of specialty materials required cooling and heating of small enclosures. The system pictured here is used for the mixing of helium and hydrogen with dew point control.

TECA Model AHP-301FFHC is used with a TECA PID temperature controller to regulate the temperature of the enclosure in order to establish the moisture content of the “wet gas”, which is blended with dry gas to fix the dew point by way of the Buck Equation.

The customer is pleased with the results and continues to build more systems using TECA air conditioners and temperature controllers.

the AHP-301FF series is now replaced by newer model the AHP-401 series.